An Oxford MBA - At £26,500 it's an option...

I mean that's only CAD $60,000 + living expenses, so it's doable.

Right. Yesterday Sandra, one of my German spy roommates & I wspent the day in oxford. It's a lovely toewn twith the individual college campus which form Oxford university (the oldest English-speaking uni in the world) scatted throughout the town. There's 15 individual colleges which all come under the governance of the university. Basically, when you apply to the university you are encouraged to do a gerneral application regarding the colleges, but specify which subject area. Then you are admitted to the uni into a specific college. You're first and third years (only 3yr degrees in the UK) you live in your college and have all your tutorials there (private tutorials are a distinguishing feature of an Oxford education). Your lectures are in faculty buildings throughout the town and are taken by all students from all colleges 'reading' the same degree as you.

The history of the different colleges is deep and complex, some dating back to the 13th century, but as far as Sandra & I can figure, they are more like separate residence halls than universities now.

Was incredible to see some of the colleges and hear the stories of how they became or who attended (we did a 2.5 hour walking tour). But I think what got me the most was the book stores. Massive bookstores but of the proper sort. Not Chapters or Borders (although there was one of those) but proper over stocked shelves and floors upon floors of books where you really could get lost and lose yourself. There were brightly coloured special offers and discount card promotions and brand name coffees, but there was also an atmosphere that every bookstore should have but fewer and fewer do. That air of wonder and curiousity and knowing that answers to all your questions were all around you.

I love bookstores. I didn't do very well at restraining myself.

What else... We had a work-do the other night where we went 10-pin bowling. I realized it was the first time I had ever done that! It's always been small-ball 5 pin, but this was so much more fun (and increased the injury potential greatly)! There were a few Fred Flinstone moments (including me dropping the ball during the backswing/windup and then painfully watching it roll down the gutter at .0267 miles per hour) but loads of laughs. I work with a really fun lot so put 18 of us in a bowling alley and entertainment is guaranteed.

Now I'm just waiting for Lee & Line to arrive in Windsor for the afternoon evening. Thin we will enjoy a Sunday roast seeing as there is no Thanksgiving here, and then meet some other friends at a pub in Eton for some live music. (Ever hear of Eton College where Harry & Wills went to school? it's just on the other side of the river (thames) from Windsor) .

Happy Birthday Grampy - the old guy is 85 tomorrow... and more lively than the rest of us! Enjoy, hope the sisters are good to you!